The utilization of paramecia by the carnivorous plant Utricularia gibba (original) (raw)

Summary

A method has been devised to ensure capture of large numbers of live paramecia within a short period of time under controlled conditions by the bladders of Utricularia gibba. The method permits a direct evaluation of the role of entrapped animals in the nutrition of this carnivorous plant. Paramecia captured by the bladders of plants growing in a near optimal inorganic medium do not cause an increase in number or length of internodes. In contrast, feeding paramecia to plants grown in a poorly balanced or incomplete medium does result in an increase in both number and length of internodes produced. Feeding paramecia to Utricularia also results in an increase in number of bladders.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
   Daniel R. Sorenson & William T. Jackson

Authors

1. Daniel R. Sorenson
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2. William T. Jackson
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Additional information

This study was supported in part by an Undergraduate Research Participant stipend from Public Health Service, grant number 2-TIHE 5 303-09, to the first author and in part by Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Grant No. 12-14-100-7981 (34) to the second author, administered by Crops Research Division, Beltsville, Maryland.

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Sorenson, D.R., Jackson, W.T. The utilization of paramecia by the carnivorous plant Utricularia gibba.Planta 83, 166–170 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00385021

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• Received: 29 July 1968
• Issue Date: June 1968
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00385021

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